Health insurance coverage of smoking cessation treatment and medications

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill requires a health care plan to provide coverage of smoking cessation treatment that is provided in conformity with recommendations set forth in the most recent Clinical Practice Guideline for treating tobacco use and dependence sponsored by the Public Health Service of the federal Department of Health and Human Services, as well as coverage of medications that are approved by the federal food and drug administration and prescribed for smoking cessation. The coverage requirement applies to both individual and group health insurance policies and plans, including defined network plans and plans offered by cooperative sickness care associations; to health care plans offered by the state to its employees, including a self-insured plan; and to self-insured health plans of counties, cities, towns, villages, and school districts. The requirement does not apply to limited benefit health care plans, such as dental or vision plans, or to health care plans that cover only specified diseases. The requirement may be subject to any limitations, exclusions, or cost-sharing provisions that apply generally under the policy or plan.

Who's behind it

10 lawmakers are its authors⁠. All 10 are Democrats.

2 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From OCI